Santa Cruz County History - People

Asa was the son of George and Hannah Anthony, nephew of Elihu Anthony, early businessman and Methodist Minister. [Asa] became the first Santa Cruz casualty of the Civil War. He enlisted in Co. L. 2nd California Cavalry on Sunday, Sept. 22 1861. He and other enlistees marched to the wharf, took a steamer to San Francisco, and marched to Camp Alert (25th and Folsom St. in San Francisco). He died on January 1, 1862, three and one half months later. His death was probably caused by the conditions existing in the camp and likely of a respiratory system nature (pneumonia, influenza, etc.).

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 2, 1862)

Death of a Soldier

Asa Anthony, a Sergeant in Capt. Brown's company of volunteer cavalry, died on Monday evening last at Camp Alert near San Francisco. Deceased was a son of Mr. George Anthony of this place. He was a young man of great promise and was favorably known in the community.

The remains of the young soldier will be brought here for interment. Funeral services will be held at the Congregational Church on Saturday at 10 o'clock AM. Rev. W.C. Bartlett will deliver a discourse suited for the occasion. [NOTE: The rank of Sergeant cannot be corroborated. Asa Anthony was according to other newsletters elected a second corporal however official state records list him as a private.]

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 9, 1862)

Commemorative

The following resolutions were adopted at a meeting of Pacific Lodge, No. 1, I.O. of G.T., held on Thursday evening January 9, 1862, commemorative of the death of Asa Anthony, who died at Camp Alert in San Francisco, December 31st, 1861, and was brought to this place and interred January 4th 1862.

Resolved, That in the death of our lamented brother , Asa Anthony, the members of this order are bereft of a devoted and esteemed friend; one who was loved by all who knew him, and whose excellencies rendered him worthy to be held in lasting remembrance.
Resolved, that this united order extend its sympathy to the parents and relatives of deceased, by transmitting them copies of these resolutions.

Resolved, that these resolutions be published in the Pacific Sentinel, of Santa Cruz, and the Union Temperance Journal, of San Francisco.......W.W. Broughton, W.C.T. R.K. Vestal, W.S.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (November 12, 1972)

Santa Cruzans of the Civil War

Asa Anthony was the son of George Anthony, who later became one of the founders of Lompoc. The younger Anthony was a in Santa Cruz when he enlisted in Co. L. 2nd Cav, which was organized mostly from Davis and Jordan Lime Co employees. He died at Camp Alert in San Francisco Dec. 21[?], as a consequence of the floods which accompanied heavy rains that year..

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